Common Questions

How much does the workshop cost?

The month-long creative writing program costs $4,200 — a great value, given the unrivaled setting and quality of this intensive writing program.

Tuition for the four weeks includes all classes (4-5 days a week of instruction), formal orientation and introduction to Paris and the Latin Quarter, welcome and farewell banquets, and a few informal activities that introduce students to French language and culture.

Students are encouraged to find their own accommodation in Paris (Airbnb, Craigslist, and related online services can help with this). The Paris American Academy does offer some housing options, including shared accommodation in a private furnished apartment ($2,300); a shared three-star hotel twin room, including daily buffet breakfast ($3,000); and a three-star hotel single room ($5,400). All accommodation options are close to the school in the Latin Quarter.

Those interested in immediately reserving a slot in the program must send in a $300 non-refundable deposit. You can pay by check, bank transfer, or credit card.

As detailed above, school-arranged housing is an optional expense. Insurance and airfare (usually $1000-$1,500 from North America; much less from Europe) are not included. Nor are most food expenses, which should run about $20-$50 a day. Ground transportation (including airport shuttle) is not included  but Paris is inexpensive and easy to navigate by foot, bus and subway. Tips on how to live cheaply in Paris are included with the course orientation.

Do I need to speak French?

French fluency is not required, as all of the courses will be taught in English.

What kind of students typically take the program?

It's usually a mix of young-to-mid-career professionals and university students. The program also attracts a number of retirees (often couples). Most students are Americans, Canadians, Australians or Brits — though students from around the world have participated in the past (workshops in recent years have included participants from Norway, Denmark, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Albania, Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, China, Japan, Brunei, Brazil, Grenada, and Mexico). Students of all nationalities are welcome, of course — though class instruction will be in English only.

Is there an age requirement?

The Paris American Academy writing program is open to all qualifying adults. Applications from older teenagers (i.e. 18 and 19 year olds) will be considered if the potential student can establish that he or she has completed at least one semester of university, or has lived/traveled abroad for an extended period of time.

The Paris American Academy doesn't offer any scholarships for first-year participants, but many students attend the writing program on grants, fellowships, or scholarships from their local school, civic organization, or business community.

How does college credit work?

The international transfer of academic credits to your local university or college is possible because the Paris American Academy is registered by the Academie de Paris as a private institution of higher learning. If you're interested in receiving college credit, we will provide a transcript to your dean, advisor, or registrar that can be used to request up to six semester hours of academic credit. In recent years, PAA credit transfers have been accepted by the likes of Columbia University, Bard College, Ohio State University, the University of Connecticut, and Wittenberg University.

Can I take all of the classes offered?

Absolutely. There will be ample time for students to participate in each class offered. In fact, all the writing classes dovetail with one another thematically, and we encourage students to participate in as many as possible.

What if I don't want to take all the classes?

That's fine. The coursework is flexible, and students can take as many or as few classes as they wish. Students seeking formal college credit, of course, will need to attend all the classes if they wish to receive full credit.